Ovarian cysts in the newborn

Abstract

Due to prenatal and perinatally performed real-time sonography, ovarian cysts are more frequently detected than before, but patients are still treated mainly after development of symptoms. We report the clinical courses of seven babies with large cysts who were asymptomatic or presented with abdominal distension, incarcerated hernia, or vomiting. The cysts were unechogenic and 3–8 cm in size with torsion in five and adhesions to the gut in three cases. Histologically, the cysts were either of follicular origin or necrosis made a distinction impossible. In our opinion, every large cyst and solid mass should be removed and examined histologically to verify the diagnosis because of the threat of complications and the possibility of malignancy. Only small, echo-free cysts may be treated expectantly with close follow-up.